As tryouts approached on Nov. 15, swim and dive was ready to start their season.

With a new coach, Kevin Fisher, preparation has been a little different. This year, those who have already been on the team are not required to try out. Practices will take place twice a week, following with a meet every Saturday. These meets consist of five dual meets as well as four postseason meets, which are a lot more competitive. “I am excited to see how the season goes with a new coach, and I am ready to take on all the meets,” senior captain Aaron Lazar said.

The team is huge, consisting of nearly 70 people. Of these 70, there are six senior captains: Lazar, Jonathon Odim, Rita Zhang, Cece Zhao, Sarah Rankin and Juliana Parra, all of whom are seniors.
This season, the first meet will take place on the first weekend of December against Churchill. “This is a huge meet for us and I am hoping to do well since it’s the first meet against such a big rival,” senior Maddie Grainger said.

The Patriots will compete against Churchill, Northwest, Quince Orchard, Poolesville, Blake, Sherwood and Walter Johnson. Depending on how the season goes, these meets would then be followed by divisionals, regionals and states. These meets will take place at locations such as Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center, Gaithersburg Aquatic Center and Montgomery College-Takoma. “I am mostly looking forward to the Churchill and Quince Orchard meets, because those are two schools that I would love to perform well against,” senior captain Aaron Lazar said.

Swim and dive members are busy preparing, and are looking forward to a fun and eventful season. “As a captain, I am excited for tryouts and to see what it will look like when the whole team comes together. As far as preparing goes, I practice swimming about every week, and I can’t wait for the season to start back up again,” senior captain Aaron Lazar said. “The team as a whole is so fun, especially during the Friday night socials that take place about every weekend. I am excited for practice and weekend meets to start up again because I love being competitive and hope to do well, as it is my last year,” senior Maddie Grainger said.